Golf and other playing ball



Aug. 8, 1933. HART 1,921,523

GOLF AND OTHER PLAYING BALL Filed Jan. 6, 1931 Patented Aug. 8, 1933 NETE TATES ATEN'E' FFEQE Application January 6, 1931, Serial No. 507,029, and in Great Britain July 30, 1930 6 Claims.

This invention relates to golf and other playing balls, and has for its principal object to provide an improved ball whereby golf practice can be carried out in a confined space.

The invention comprises the combination of a light ball and a tee or support in permanent connection with the ball. In particular the invention comprises the combination of a ball and a tee or support in a form adapted to control the flight of the ball. Further the invention comprises a combined tee and ball such that the ball can move initially through a limited distance independently of the tee.

In the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a practice golf ball constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional side view and Figure 3 a sectional plan of another form of golf ball constructed in accordance with this invention. Figure 4 is a sectional side elevation and Figure 5 a sectional front elevation showing the tee in the extended position.

Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation of a still further form of my improved ball.

In carrying the invention into effect as shown in Figure 1, I employ any convenient form of light ball I) of the size of an ordinary golf ball. The tee comprises a pair of pliable leather strips d shaped and attached to one side of the ball as shown. The lower ends of the strips are splayed apart to form an effective support when the ball is at rest and to act as a drag when the ball is in flight. The tee also serves to minimize any tendency the ball may have to swerve from the course along which it is driven.

I find it advantageous to provide for relative movement between the ball and tee after the ball has been struck by a club. This relative movement has the effect of introducing a further check on the velocity of the ball. The construction which I prefer for permitting this relative movement is shown in Figures 3 to 6. A hollow ball I) has combined with it a tee (1 made from a folded leather strip shaped as illustrated. One end of the tee is inserted freely through a hole e in the ball, and through the eye formed by the folded inner end of the tee I insert a pair of leather or other suitable cross pieces 3', g which serve to prevent detachment of the tee from the ball. The stem of the tee is enclosed by a rubber or other sleeve h and within the ball I prefer to arrange a leather, rubber or like loose ring i which surrounds the stem or sleeve. This ring serves to supplement the parts 1, g in minimizing risk of detachment of the tee from the ball. When the ball is at rest on the ground the parts occupy the relative positions shown in Figure 3. After the ball has been struck, the ball moves relatively to the stem until the parts occupy the relative positions shown in Figures 5 and 6, in which the tee projects to a greater extent from the ball. The effect of this relative movement is to impose a check on the velocity of the ball and so supplement the normal retarding action of the tee. Further the extended tee exerts a greater influence both as a drag and as a means for preserving the course of the ball, than the shorter tee shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In the modification shown in Figure '7, a hollow ball 12 has attached to it a tee d, made by folding a suitably shaped leather or other strip. The fold in the tee is embraced by a ring a which serves to support the ball on the tee. A cross piece k may be inserted through the fold to prevent detachment of the ring. The folded part of the tee is attached to the interior of the ball by a cord Z which may be secured to a loose piece m in the ball. Figure '7 shows the relative posi tions of the parts when the ball is supported on the ground. After the ball has been struck, it first moves independently of the tee to an extent determined by the cord which can pass out through the hole 6 in the ball. When the cord is tightened the tee is carried by the ball, and 5 the sudden snatch set up, when the tee is moved exerts a retardation on the flight of the ball. While the ball and tee are in motion the tee exerts a dragging action which limits the range of flight and also prevents swerving from the desired course. Whilst the form shown in Figure '7 is practicable I find it less convenient than that shown in Figures 3 to 6, and the latter is therefore preferred by me.

The invention is not limited to the examples above described but in all cases the tee or support is permanently connected with the ball, which is preferably of a light character, and also the tee is such that it serves to control the flight of the ball.

"With such a hall the game of golf can be usefully practised in a small space such as a garden. The ball may also be used for other playing pur-- poses in which it is required to drive a light ball for a relatively short distance by means of a club.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to seeureby Letters Patent is:

1. A playing ball comprising a hollow rubber, ball having a hole formed in it, a tee formed from a folded strip of pliable material and slidable through the hole in the ball, means at the inner end of the tee for preventing detachment of the tee from the ball, a sleeve on the tee, and a loose ring within the ball surrounding the tee, the ball and. tee having a limited free relative movement, substantially as described.

2. A playing ball having attached thereto teeing means including a pair of legs which are made of pliable sheet material and which can be splayed apart at their outer ends to serve as the tee and to control the flight of the ball, substantially as described.

3. A playing ball as claimed in claim 2, in which the legs are made integrally from a folded strip of pliable sheet material, substantially as described. r

4. A playing ball comprising a light hollow ball formed with a hole, a tee inserted through the hole in the ball and including a pair of legs made of pliable material, and means at the inner end of the tee for preventing detachment of the tee from the ball, substantially as described.

5. A playing ball comprising a light hollow ball formed with a hole, a tee comprising a stem inserted through the hole in the ball and including a pair of legs made of pliable material, means at the inner end of the tee for preventing detachment from the ball, and a loose ring situated within the ball and surrounding the stem of the tee for supplementing the means whereby the tee is attached to the ball, substantially as described.

6. A playing ball comprising a light hollow ball formed with a hole, a tee having a stem inserted through the hole'in the ball and including a pair of legs made of pliable n'i'aterial, the tee being arranged so that it is free to slide to a limited extent relatively to the ball, and means at the inner end of the tee for preventing detachment of the tee from the ball, substantially as described.

THOMAS HASSALL 

